Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-24
THE HOTEL FIRE.
Disheartening Outlook for
Simmons.
lis AFFIDAVIT REFUrED.
Father McGlynn Reviles the Gov
ernment of the Papal Court
t at Rome.


Associated Press Dispatches to the HknA ID.
SALINAS, June 23.-Insthe Simmons
trial this morning William X. Lindt
testified to having, on the mig ht of the
fire, while endeavoring to fad the origin
OF the flames, stumbled over . bottle
which had contained turpen tine, ss he
found by smelling his fingers. The FIRE
had fumes of turpentine.
Charles johnson, a porter, testified
that he was carrying the hotel books
from the Office to place of safety.
Simmons ordered him to desist, and
thrust the books back into the burning.
He stated on cross examination that
Simmons said: "These are old register
books and Of no account; there was NO
use taking out those
John K. Day, an employe of the
burned hotel, testified to the ciroumstan--
ces of the discovery of the fire.
Martin Cannon, night watchman, tes-
tilted to the fact that all the personal
effects of Simmons were out OF the house
at the time of the FIRE.
Chas. F. Capp, barkeeper. testified
that Clough was not drunk on the night
of the fire.
F. A. Botsch, telegraph operator of
the hotel, depied the statement made in
Simmons affidavit, that on the night of
the fire they had o conversatio about
the likelihood of the fire occurring from
leaving matches lying carelessly around.
The cross-examinaton shook the wit
ness's testimony in some particular.
Lena Cotter, ohambermaid. saw Sim
mons walk hurriedly to bis room at l0:4O
P. M. Half an hour later the fire was
discovered.
j. Sullivan when sworn testified that
he was bell boy in the main building.
About 1850 he left the cffice to 90 to
defendants room, to bid him goodbye,
but waited in the hallway while and
soon discovered the smoke. Witness
then saw the accused come from his
room in somewhat an excited condition.
Simmons afterwards did his best 10 un-
reel some hose in the yard and directed
the movements of the men.
Herman Bach, watchmGn, testified
that the time at which the defendant
rushed from the lower stairs was be-
tween five and eight minutes to eleven
o'clock. Simmons was then ashy pale
and rested his head on his hands. He
afterwards paced the floor Tor moment
and then sat down until the alarm was
given. Witness maintained that the
defendant was pale but could not say
whether the paleness was due from sick
ness or not. Witness was on good terms
with defendant, though Simmons once
said that he would get even with the
company.
T. C. Lewis ties titled that he was en-
ployed at the Del Monte on April lsf Is
bookkeeper. He received that day
about $500, which he placed in the cash
book. Here the remnants of the cash
book were produced which were nothing
more than q mass of burned paper.)
Continuing, the witness said: ~ was
present when Simmons turned the hotel
over to Schoenwald. There was in the
cash drawer at the time Sl307 and in the
safe $2965. Simmons left the Office
about o'clock that day and did not
see him again until the fire was under
way. He told ne then that he had
broken open the cash drawer and
started to take the contents and
the transient ledger out but had to
drop the book. Under cross.examina-
tion by Mr.. Delmas witness stated that
he counted the money himself. and that
Simmons had nothing to do with it. He
had some time before been employed in
the hotel as telegraph operator and ex-
press agent. Simmons had asked him
to take the place of bookkeeper.
j. s. Sullivan was recalled and said
that when the fire company came from
Monterey they started to attach their
hose to the hydrant near the annex.
when Simmons told them not to take
that hydraDt, a. it was occupied.
The court adjourned until tomorrow
at 8 o'clock, when the prosecution ex-
pect to close their case.